Donald E. Deese
Donald E. Deese, 83, of Dickinson, passed away in his home March 18, 2017. Donald was born May 15, 1933, to Daisy and Roy Deese in Atlanta, Georgia. Donald proudly served his country in the U S Army. Following his graduation from Baylor University, Don worked as an Industrial Hygienist for many years. Don was also proud of his graduation from the Citizens Police Academy. He was a loyal member of the First United Methodist Church in Dickinson. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Helen Whitmire Deese, sister Joanne Moore, and brothers Roy L. Deese, Jr., Harvey Deese, and Lamar Deese, and nephew Gary Moore.
Donald is survived by his nieces Cassandra Deese Boutwell, Sheila Lynn Deese Reinhart, Donna Jo Winston and Jeanice Caldwell; nephews, Steve Deese, and Len Deese and wife Tracey ; great-nieces Collin Quinn, Lauren Blackburn, Christi Sweatt, Megan Deese, Makenzie Brieding, Traclen Deese, Ireland Loudermilk, Gracie Loudermilk, and Raine Caldwell; and great-nephews Brent Boutwell, Nathan Deese, and Ian Morse.
A celebration of his life will be held 2:00 pm, Sunday, March 26, 2017, at First United Methodist Church, Dickinson, Texas.
Don was my department head when I started my industrial hygiene career at Carbide. Don was the most caring and intelligent man I have known. Years after I left Carbide I returned to Texas for a deposition related to asbestosis. I had to review Don’s deposition and again felt that Don was one of the great HIs whose really cared for the well being of employees.
Don followed my career though a mutual friend and always expressed how proud he was of my accomplishments. I never had the opportunity to tell him how much his comments meant to me. He will always stand out as a wonderfully talented man. He will be missed. I never heard Don utter a profanity. When he became upset he would leave his office to sit with us and after a few moments he would let us know that he in a “tizzy”.
God bless this special man as he goes forth one his final journey free of those terrible tizziez.
Don was a delightful man with a fun personality. He and my father, Jim Henley, were good friends. He was a wonderful pianist whose wit and talent will be missed.
Deeply saddened to hear Don’s passing… Don was a highly respected Industrial Hygiene professional whose work positively affected the well being of countless plant employees at Carbide. As one of the trailblazers of his profession, Don’s vision and leadership helped accomplish the initial hard work essential for establishing an exemplary occupational health program both at the Texas City plant and within the Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Division.
Outside of work hours, Don was a true southern gentleman, an accomplished pianist, and a gracious, generous host to his friends and co-workers.
Don will be very much missed and gratefully remembered by all of us whose lives he has touched. May he rest in peace.